Historical Background:Planned with the utmost secrecy, German "Operation Watch on the Rhine", launched in the wee hours of December 16, 1944. Hitler's objective: To conduct a blitzkrieg on what the US First Army considered a "quiet" front and push through the densely forested Ardennes Massif under the cover of heavy overcast weather. He hoped to split the British and American lines, capture Antwerp and wipe out the encircled Allied armies in order to help negotiate a favorable peace treaty.

South of Manteufell's front, the 110th Infantry Regiment faced the main thrust of the attacking German divisions, alone on an 11-mile front. Having crossed the River Our easily, the German Infantry infiltrated the woods of Luxembourg while its Combat Engineers were struggling to bridge the river for the tanks of 2. Panzer-Division. Overrun by German infantry, the village of Marnach soon fell. Using Clervaux as a strongpoint, Colonel Fuller attempted to stage a counter-attack and recapture Marnach. But the bridges had now been built; With 2. Panzer on the move, Clervaux had to be evacuated. The road to Bastogne now lay open...

The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:Axis Player[Germany]Take 6 Command cards.You move first.

Allied Player[United States]Take 5 Command cards.

Conditions of Victory:8 Medals.

The villages of Heinerscheid and Marnach, and the Castle in Clervaux are Permanent Medal Objectives (Turn Start) for the Axis forces.

The two road hexes with an Exit marker are Exit hexes for the Axis forces.